THE Lights was “packed full of amazing people” to celebrate the winners of the Pride of Andover awards on Wednesday.

The event, now in its 11th year, saw 180 friends, family and nominees turned up in their glad rags to enjoy the evening appreciating Andover locals making a difference to the town.

The Breeze radio presenter Steve Priestley hosted the night while “Andover royalty” was in the house as Katie Piper presented the awards.

Mrs Piper marked a change from long-time presenter Dame Esther Rantzen, and is a former Pride of Andover winner for courage back in 2010.

The soon-to-be mother of two said: “I was born here, I went to school here and anyone that knows my story knows I came back to Andover to live with my family and recovered here.

“The town was so supportive to me and it made my journey that much easier, so this holds a really special place in my heart so thank you for inviting me back here this evening.”

While Andover’s army cadet force took control of the buffet and a caricature artist worked the room, guests waited for the announcement of the winners.

Between Anne Goodier who doesn’t know where she gets her energy from, to Carol Robinson who exclaimed it was “time to get back to the stage”, it was Graeme Davis who scooped the Citizenship Award for his commitment to the environment.

Mr Davis said: “Looking after our conservation, is quite important because quite a few rare species in the area which could become extinct.

“I feel the environment is part of what we are so we should look after it for the future.”

Young Person of the Year award went to 10-year-old Ethan Bartley who looks after his mum every day following a severe car crash which left her in a 16-day coma when Ethan was just seven years old.

On taking on his “grown-up”role, Ethan said: “I’m not sure I know where I got the strength but I knew if I would carry on being strong, my mum would get out strong.”

To the brave boy who tugged on the heart strings of the room, Mrs Piper said: “You may be the youngest in the room but you are the greatest example to us all.”

The crowd also saw Saints fan Jason Holmes take the highly commended award in the Sports category, while co-founder of Andover Power Lifting Club Robyn Brown was crowned champion for his work teaching the next generation.

Mr Brown said: “Most of the guys I worked with are good guys. If you are an inspiration, to me, that is really important and if I’m an inspiration, then great.”

Guests also cheered and whooped for Inspiring Others award category’s highly commended Karen Trinder, Emma Smith and winner Robert Bartholomew.

Applause then went out to Services award highly commended Breatheasy group before announcing 80-year-old Renie Scott the winner for her work with Andover Talking Newspapers.

She told the crowd she took to Facebook “like a duck takes to water”.

Heart of Gold winner Hazel Kirby explained her latest excursion with Age UK taking a 92-year-old bowling, and the Sue Sheppard prize winner Alex Leigh joked with the room that he’s “stopped getting arrested to be honest with you”.

The 23-year-old who got himself off the streets said: “Everyone should want to make mistakes as long as there’s fight in you.

“What made me change my mind about the way I was living was when I met an ex-millionaire guy in a homeless hospital who was in the same position as me.

“Meeting him was a life-defining moment and everyone from The Streets project made me the man I am today. I’m trying to inspire all these young people who still need someone to inspire them.”

The Mayor’s award went to Teresa Macleod who claimed she was “just the office girl” supporting her husband’s charity Veterans in Action, and the Spirit of Andover overall winner was also claimed by Citizenship Award winner Graeme Davis.

Mr Davis, whose environmental commitment has him litter-picking all year round no matter what the weather, shared some humble words for the town.

He said: “Andover is just full of great people and we work together to make it a great place to live.

“Even just doing the small little things to help out other people, the smallest things makes a big difference. If anyone wants to join in and help out litter picking, just go out and help.”

Before the ceremony came to an end, Pride of Andover committee chair Karen Hamilton thanked the sponsors and Mrs Piper for their involvement in the awards, and announced a £1,000 donation to The Katie Piper Foundation.

The full list of award winners:

Spirit of Andover overall winner, sponsored by David Mellor Family Jewellers.

Graeme Davis - Winner.

Citizenship award, sponsored by Andover Vision

Graeme Davis - Winner.
Anne Goodier - Highly Commended.
Carol Robinson - Highly Commended.

Young Person award, sponsored by Aspire Defence
Ethan Bartley - Winner.

Sports award, sponsored by Places for People
Robyn Brown - Winner.
Jason Holmes - Highly Commended. 

Inspiring Others award, sponsored by The Breeze
Robert Bartholomew - Winner.
Karen Tinder - Highly Commended.

Services award, sponsored by New Street Dental Care
Renie Scott - Winner. 
Breatheasy - Highly Commended.

Heart of Gold award, sponsored by Simplyhealth
Hazel Kirby - Winner.
Emma Smith - Highly Commended.
Sue Sheppard award, sponsored by The Commercial Centre.
Alex Leigh - Winner.

Mayor’s award
Teresa Macleod - Winner.